Together we can accomplish much more

Our mission and background

Our Mission…

To be innovators, educators and adherents of best-practices standards in person-centered care management & fiduciary services to the elderly, the young, and persons living with disabilities.

Pastor Harold “Swede” Johnson & Wife, Maxine

About us…

Good Shepherd Fund was founded as a 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization in 1970, by Pastor Harold “Swede” Johnson. When asked why he was such an advocate for people living with disabilities, he often told the following story:

“I had an office with a big chair in it, and it was easy to sit in that chair and be pontifical. One day a couple came into that office to see me. I didn’t really know them. They’d had their first child not long before that visit. The doctor had told them that the child was mentally retarded, and that they should give him to a home and put the boy out of their minds, for there was nothing that modern medicine could do for him. The couple was distraught. They’d come to me searching for meaning, and answers. After hearing their story I did the most inexcusable thing; I leaned back in that big chair, and instead of being their friend and counselor, I said, ‘Well, you know, folks, this is simply God’s will.’

“I’ll never forget the look that man gave me as he stood. His was a countenance of rage and despair. He leaned in and said to me, ‘I curse your God.’ Before I could say anything, he stomped out of my office with his wife. I’ve been looking for him ever since. I wish I could find that couple, just so I could tell them how sorry I am for what I said…”

Swede spent the rest of his life dedicated to supporting people living with disabilities and their families. He was a prolific fundraiser and advocate, and raised millions of dollars for an array of charity organizations serving the disabled community. Pastor Johnson died in 2003, but his legacy lives on in Good Shepherd Fund.

Today Good Shepherd Fund serves hundreds of clients as trustee, administering Special Needs Trusts. The agency is the legal conservator/guardian of record for hundreds more across multiple States. Nearly 50% of all agency activity is facilitated “pro-bono,” thanks to the gifts and support we receive from so many who embody the Swede Johnson mission. And in the spirit of that mission, Good Shepherd Fund unashamedly seeks to be a friend and advocate first, a trustee and conservator second.

Swede never had the opportunity to apologize for his behavior, but through the lasting impact of that experience he literally saved many lives for decades. Here at Good Shepherd Fund, we continue onward in honor of the unnamed couple who started it all.

Sue Stokke

Stephanie Johnson

Henry Guo

Trust Officer

Good Shepherd Fund

Meet our board

David Johnson

Chairman

David joined the Board in 2005 after a rewarding 34-year career with the San Rafael Police Department in Marin County, California. His father, Pastor Harold, “Swede”, Johnson was an original founder of the Good Shepherd Fund. David continues to work with California law enforcement agencies, facilitating programs focusing on leadership and team effectiveness.

Good Shepherd Fund

Trevor Patterson

Vice Chair

Trevor is the retired Chief Investigator from the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office. He investigated many conservatorship cases throughout his career. He is a member and of the First Presbyterian Church in Livermore, CA. and serves as a Deacon of the Mission’s Team.

Good Shepherd Fund

Art Larson

Secretary

Art is a retired engineer from a defense industry company. He has been working with people with disabilities as a volunteer with Joni and Friends for 15 years and currently volunteers with his church circuit to include people with all disabilities into churches. He has been a Good Shepherd Board member since 1995.

Good Shepherd Fund

Reuben Helick

Treasurer

Reuben Helick is a Managing Director with Cushman & Wakefield, a global commercial real estate firm. He resides in Aptos, CA. Mr. Helick has been a GSF board member since 2008.

Good Shepherd Fund

Tom Avramis

Member

Tom P Avramis has enjoyed a highly successful career in non-profit executive management for over 25 years, establishing a reputation for innovation, trouble-shooting, and growth in the field of human services. During his career, he has successfully overseen and grown programs, from national to regional in scope, involving youth, the elderly and the developmentally-challenged. In addition, while an ordained priest, he instituted several nationally recognized programs, as well as being a speaker, consultant and writer.

Good Shepherd Fund

Karin Crosby

Member

Karin is a Licensed Clinical Social worker who has served the Developmentally Disabled population for over 30 years. She has worked with adults, infants and toddlers and their parents and supervised the Field Representatives at Good Shepherd Fund form 2014-2016. Karin has been a Board member since 2016.

Good Shepherd Fund

Bill Morris

Member

Bill is a practicing attorney at law, living and working in Redwood City, CA. His practice includes parental estate planning for the care of people with physical and mental disabilities through wills and trusts. He has been a GSF Board Member since 1995.

Good Shepherd Fund

Bob Turrini

Member

Bob is an attorney and Partner of the Freitas Law Firm LLP; he practices in the areas of taxation, estate planning, and trust and estate administration. He has been a Good Shepherd Fund board member since 2013.

Good Shepherd Fund

Single-handedly caring for someone with disabilities is exhausting.When you’re not meeting immediate needs, you’re worried about his or her long-term care. The cycle of stress can be overwhelming.

Good Shepherd Fund

The Good Shepherd Way

The Good Shepherd Fund has been helping families for over 40 years. We manage trusts and estates, we are conservators and guardians, and we seek to make decisions on behalf of your loved one the way you would. It’s what we do. Your trust is our passion.

Disclaimer

Information on this web site is provided for general informational purposes only. Blog posts are not updated retroactively and may become “stale.” While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, Secured Futures assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from relying on information provided on the site. Information provided on this site is not legal or financial advice and is not a substitute for hiring legal or financial counsel. In order to understand all the laws relevant to your unique situation and how they apply, consult with an attorney or certified financial advisor.